A Panorama of Melbourne Abroad

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1 A Panorama of Melbourne Abroad Dr Kay Stevens Manager, Undergraduate Scholarships and Melbourne Abroad University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 Abstract Melbourne Abroad is a University of Melbourne initiative for current undergraduate students. It includes an exchange program and a scholarships program through which students benefit from the opportunity to study overseas whilst gaining subject credit as well as financial support. For the university, the program affirms existing relationships with international institutions whilst staff and faculties have the opportunity to benchmark courses and increase their international profiles. Various policies, processes and support activities represent the commitment of the university to these benefits. As a demonstration of the success of this now seven year old initiative, this paper will outline some of these benefits and commitments related to the Melbourne Abroad Program as well as achievements to date and profiles of participating students. ************************************************************************** Introduction This year 279 students will benefit from international education as Melbourne Abroad Outgoing Exchange students of the University of Melbourne. Numerous other University of Melbourne students will embark on international education as Study Abroad students or as students from the School of Languages, Faculty of Arts overseas study program. This paper will present a brief outline of the Melbourne Abroad Outgoing Exchange and Scholarship Program, followed by a description of the benefits and commitments that relate to not only students but also the university, faculties and staff who participate in this international education activity. In a Nutshell: The Melbourne Abroad Program The Melbourne Abroad Program incorporates two distinct sub-programs:? an exchanges program where students attend one of 116 partner institutions and? a Melbourne Abroad Scholarships program which provides financial support to Outgoing Exchange, Study Abroad and School of Languages students on overseas study. Students who are successful in participating in the Melbourne Abroad Outgoing Exchanges Program and have received a Melbourne Abroad Scholarship have achieved a 70% grade point average, have studied for at least one year at the University of Melbourne, and have had their study program and general ability to engage in overseas study approved by their faculty. By participating in the Melbourne Abroad Program, students receive subject credit and fulfil academic and/or practical

2 work requirements for their degrees through approved courses from all over the world. Two teams of experienced administrative staff facilitate each part of the program. Exchange or Study Abroad? Exchange students are the core of the Melbourne Abroad Program. Each exchange student occupies a place at one of the 116 partner institutions whilst, in return, a student from the same international institution studies at the University of Melbourne. The Melbourne Abroad Unit makes all of the arrangements for exchange students by confirming faculty credit approvals, ensuring students have access to an exchange place and liaising with the international institutions. Exchange program students remain enrolled as a full-time student at the University of Melbourne and continue to pay their usual tuition fees. They are then enrolled as a full-time student at the host institution although they are not required to pay any tuition fees at that institution. Study Abroad offers students further choice of where to study as they are not limited to those institutions with University of Melbourne exchange agreements. However, Study Abroad students must organise their own overseas study program including subject approvals. In addition, Study Abroad students pay tuition fees to the overseas institution and apply for leave of absence from the university during their time overseas. Achievements 2002 In 2002, applications to participate in the Melbourne Abroad Program as an exchange student increased from 2001 by 16.4% (see Table 1) and approved applications increased by 12.5%. Faculties however rejected more applications and larger numbers of students deferred to the following semester (generally due to a lack of sufficient funds) than in the previous year. Table 1 Applications for Melbourne Abroad Sem2, 2001 Sem1, 2002 Sem 2, 2002 Sem 1, 2003 Total Applications Unsuccessful Withdrawn Deferred 5 3 Applications Approved

3 The Panorama: Benefits for Students Returning Melbourne Abroad students are asked to complete a survey report on their international student exchange experience. The following two excerpts depict some of the ways students believe they have benefitted from this experience. These students are quoted more fully in the 2003 Melbourne Abroad Brochure. I always wanted to spend a while living in another country and studying abroad seemed an ideal way to do it. I thought it would be interesting to learn about my course from the perspective of another country. I met the most amazing people and now have a floor to sleep on everywhere from Scotland to Iceland! Studying overseas was a great way to explore different countries it was around two hours by train for me to get to Paris, Cologne or Amsterdam. I got to study international law at one of the most renowned European law schools. I studied under some fantastic lecturers including a judge from the European court of Justice; he used to pop over from Luxembourg for the day to give our lectures. (Cara Waters; 4 th year, Bachelor of Law student studying at Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium) I ve always been interested in other languages and cultures. It s exciting being able to experience another way of life and to share knowledge with people on the other side of the world. Learning Swedish was amazing. Studying physiotherapy in another language, learning different techniques and approaches to treatment and my hospital placement were all big learning curves but that was also fun and the students and teachers were very helpful. I increased my understanding of different background and ways of thinking. I met many interesting people who were intrigued about Australia and keen to build up links with us down under. (I made) an effort to learn some of the language because it is like a key to a new world and you really experience the country and the lifestyle. (Georgina Morrow; 2 nd year Bachelor of Physiotherapy student studying at Lund University, Sweden.) Cara and Georgina s responses epitomise cultural, personal and career benefits for students studying overseas on exchange. Each area of benefit is invaluable. Cultural? Experience a new and different academic system? Study subjects not offered at the University of Melbourne? Improve foreign language skills or learning a new language? Gain an international perspective in a certain area of study. Personal? Independence? Meet new people and make new friends? Adventure and fun? Travel and explore new places? Grow in self-confidence

4 ? Gain a broader outlook on life. Career? Build up international links? Have a competitive edge? Help the resume stand out. Financial Benefits to students also come in the form of financial support. Melbourne Abroad Scholarships are awarded to many Exchange, Study Abroad and Language Study students. All scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit according to selection guidelines endorsed by the Melbourne Scholarships Policy Committee, namely a grade point average of at least 70%. Successful students receive $1,500 regardless of the duration or destination of their international educational experience however faculty quotas apply and funding restrictions mean that not all eligible students receive a scholarship. Students in receipt of a Melbourne Abroad Scholarship can also apply for up to $2,000 of further financial assistance based on financial need, study destination and length of stay overseas. If a student does not receive a Melbourne Abroad scholarship, up to $1500 Melbourne Travel Assistance is available based on financial need. Commitments from Students Students need high marks, as well as a spirit of adventure, to study overseas on the Melbourne Abroad Program. A high level of commitment is also required of students to the planning and organisation of their international education program. In their planning they must address:? Host institution requirements? University of Melbourne Faculty approvals? Study plans? Financial plans? Application form requirements? Travel arrangements? Visa requirements. This commitment by students is not insignificant despite the considerable amount of facilitation provided by the staff of the Melbourne Abroad Unit. The final commitment of all Melbourne Abroad Outgoing Exchange students is for them to be an ambassador for their university whilst overseas. Benefits for the University International Relationships Each place that is available for Melbourne Abroad Outgoing Exchange students is fostered and developed through the relationship building activities of the International Programs Office. In this way the Melbourne Abroad Program plays a vital part in

5 sustaining the international partnerships of the university. Sending Exchange students to Universitas 21 institutions is a particular example of how the Melbourne Abroad Program fosters the internationalisation goals of this group of 17 worldwide universities of which the University of Melbourne is one. Faculties and Staff Faculty international profiles are increased through the Melbourne Abroad Program. The Melbourne Abroad application process requires faculty academic staff to cultivate their overseas alliances and to benchmark their subjects against those of international institutions, all of which ultimately promotes the qualities of the international academy. Commitments from the University The university commits itself to the Melbourne Abroad Program through policies and processes and financial, administrative and student support. These are all promoted internally and externally through brochures, meetings with institutional partners, presentations, information sessions and a website. Policies and Processes The Melbourne Scholarships Policy Committee identifies the eligibility criteria for Melbourne Abroad Outgoing Exchange selection and Melbourne Abroad Scholarships selection and funding policy. The faculties select students to go on exchange and the Undergraduate Scholarships SubCommittee ratifies the awarding of scholarships. The International Programs Committee receives a report on the Melbourne Abroad Program activities and identifies their effect on and interrelationship with the other international programs of the university. Promotion and Information The information resources of the Melbourne Abroad brochure and website are complemented by faculty information sessions as well as country and institutionspecific information sessions that include outside guest speakers and returned students. There are also information sessions provided Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes during semester by the Melbourne Abroad Unit. Attendances are ever increasing as more students take their first forays into the world of Melbourne Abroad. Returned students man an information table in the Student Union building on Mondays and Wednesdays. International visitors, organised through the International Relations Unit, come to the university to discuss everything from housing arrangements, exchange balances, problems relating to individual students, visa arrangements, course equivalents, language eligibility issues and campus promotions. Administrative Support The administrative support provided to exchange students by the Melbourne Abroad Unit and Melbourne Undergraduate Scholarships Unit includes:

6 ? advice to students regarding options for exchange, subject equivalents and study plans, visas, accommodation and finances? liaising with faculties on credit transfers and application approvals? negotiating with partner institutions on exchange balances? processing applications and advising on outcomes? liaising with partner institutions on host institution applications, confirmations and related student issues? selecting students for scholarships? notifying students and advising faculties of scholarship awards? facilitating scholarship payment. Administrative support is also provided by each faculty as:? advice to students on appropriate international institutions? confirmation of credit load equivalents and study plans? selection and refereeing of students to go on exchange. Funding Support Melbourne Abroad Scholarships Melbourne Abroad Scholarships have been awarded since They are funded from a mixture of central university funds and faculty funds. Faculty funding contributions are set as faculty targets according to the proportionate number of Melbourne Abroad places each faculty is anticipated to fill. Although central funds were capped in 2001, some faculty targets were increased in 2002 in line with their pattern of sending students overseas on the Melbourne Abroad Program. Melbourne Abroad Scholarships were initially intended to be bestowed on all students who had been selected to participate in a student exchange program at an international university. In recent years this policy has been modified to allow Study Abroad students and School of Languages overseas study students to also be considered for a Melbourne Abroad Scholarship. Table 2 presents the numbers of students who were awarded a Melbourne Abroad Scholarship in the three most recent funding rounds. (Students from these funding rounds travel overseas in the following semester.) The applications received came from students participating in the Outgoing Exchange, Study Abroad and School of Languages overseas study programs. Table 2 Scholarships Awarded (Outgoing Exchange, Study Abroad and School of Languages programs) Round Round Round Total Student Applications Scholarships Awarded The duration of international study experience by these Melbourne Abroad Scholarship recipients is presented in Table 3.

7 Table 3 Duration of study Round Total Round Successful Round Total Round Successful Round Total Round Successful <13 Weeks One Semester Full Year Total (a) Financial Commitments A Comparison The funding for scholarships provided by the University of Melbourne compares favorably with other Victorian universities as indicated in a survey conducted in June 2002 by the Victorian International Directors Committee. This committee represents the nine Victorian universities: Australian Catholic University, University of Ballarat, Deakin University, La Trobe University, The University of Melbourne, Monash University, RMIT University, Swinburne University of Technology and Victoria University. The survey, which aimed to benchmark the amount of funding provided by these universities to their students who study overseas on exchange demonstrated that:? The University of Melbourne was one of six universities that offer financial assistance to outgoing international exchange students? Its scholarship awards were within the total scholarship range of $1000 to $2500 per semester? As with two other universities, The University of Melbourne provides the majority of its exchange students with financial assistance and, whilst the amount does not vary by destination country or by number of semesters overseas, it does consider further financial assistance on the basis of financial need, length of study and destination. (Olsen, 2002). Student Support? Melbourne Abroad Pre-departure Sessions are held after the exams prior to students leaving for exchange. All exchange students are asked to attend a Predeparture Session. The session consists of brief talks on various topics including how to be an ambassador for the University of Melbourne, travel tips, health and safety, insurance, transition, culture shock and re-enrolment. There are also country-focused discussion groups and time for students to socialise between sessions. Students attending the most recent Melbourne Abroad Pre-departure Session were surveyed in order to assess the value and appropriateness of these sessions. Their responses overwhelmingly indicated that the Melbourne Abroad Pre-departure Sessions cover areas of value, are most appropriate to their forthcoming needs and so suitably prepare these students about to travel overseas to study.

8 ? Melbourne Abroad Debriefing Sessions occur at the start of a students first semester back at the University of Melbourne. The sessions provide an opportunity for staff and other returning students to learn of the experiences these students have encountered whilst studying overseas as well as to help returning students with their transition back to Australian university life. In these sessions student volunteers are sought who will be willing to give information sessions on their host institution to future interested students and to act as contacts for their questions.? International Nights occur twice a year for returning and departing Melbourne Abroad Outgoing Exchange students as well as for Incoming Exchange and Study Abroad students. Over 200 students generally attend each evening. Conclusion The Melbourne Abroad Program fulfils a commitment by The University of Melbourne to its students: simply that they should have an opportunity for an international educational experience and, moreover, that this is an important part of the Melbourne Experience. In the process of fulfilling this commitment, the benefits, both direct and indirect and for various stakeholders, can be identified. The benefits are several: benefits of international presence, international relations, international awareness, cultural awareness, communication, confidence and sharing. The statistics bear out the importance of these benefits and the values they represent. More students are wanting the experience. Reference Olsen, A. (2002) Benchmarking: Funding of Outgoing International Exchange Students, Victorian International Directors Committee.